What is a hip-to-gable loft conversion?

A hip-to-gable loft conversion replaces the sloping side (the hip) of a semi-detached or detached roof with a vertical gable wall. This extends the ridge and creates enough space for a staircase and a full-size room, usually combined with a rear dormer.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Kelso?
In Kelso, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £53,500–£75,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Prices in Scotland sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Kelso reflects that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £53,500–£75,500 |
| Higher specification | £75,500–£94,500 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Gable wall construction and finish
- Size of the rear dormer
- Bathroom and plumbing
- Roof tile matching
Use the guide price tool to see how size and specification change the figure, then ask for a written, itemised quote.
Do you need planning permission for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Kelso?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in Scotland. In Scotland changing a hipped roof to a gable often needs planning permission, because dormer and roof enlargement rights only apply well away from boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
The work we manage on a hip-to-gable loft conversion:
- Building control sign-off
- Drawings and structural calculations
- Survey and planning check
- Insulation, electrics, plumbing and plastering
- Steel beams and floor joists
- Roof extension and rear dormer
How long does it take?
Allow 7 to 10 weeks on site. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the approval route.
Building in Kelso
Scotland’s housing ranges from sandstone tenements and villas to post-war and modern estates, and the building warrant system shapes how projects are planned.
Kelso sits in the Scottish Borders, about 15 miles east of Galashiels. We cover the whole of Kelso, including postcodes TD5.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about hip-to-gable loft conversions in Kelso
Is a hip-to-gable better than a dormer?
On a hipped roof, a dormer alone often leaves too little space for stairs. Combining hip-to-gable with a rear dormer gives the most room.
How long does it take?
Typically 7 to 10 weeks on site.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Kelso?
In Kelso, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £53,500–£75,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Will it look strange next to my neighbour?
On a pair of semis the roofs will no longer match unless your neighbour does the same. Many streets already have several converted roofs.
Do I need planning permission for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Kelso?
In Scotland changing a hipped roof to a gable often needs planning permission, because dormer and roof enlargement rights only apply well away from boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Do you build hip-to-gable loft conversions in Kelso?
Yes. We build hip-to-gable loft conversions across Kelso, including postcodes TD5. Every project starts with a free home visit.
